Spicer Reservoir opens with great rainbow action

The road to Spicer Reservoir, located in the Highway 4 corridor above Arnold, opened on June 28, enabling trout anglers to access the lake earlier than was anticipated.

Bank fishermen have reported catching beautiful rainbows in the 12- to 18-inch range while using flies and spinners in the Hobart Creek inlet of Spicer. The trout are either wild or planted as fingerlings by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“The lake is full and fishing is superb,” said Brandon Reynolds of Ebbetts Pass Sporting Goods. “May flies are the top dry fly patterns, while the best two spinners are the 1/16-ounce and 1/8-ounce Rooster Tail in the grasshopper pattern and Panther Martin in black body/yellow dots.”

Shore anglers can also hook trout while tossing out nightcrawlers, Kastmasters and garlic PowerBait in an array of colors. Trolling from a boat is also productive with spoons, spinners and nightcrawlers. One angler reported catching his limit in an hour on Monday, while trolling nightcrawlers behind flashers.

ANTIOCH PIER STRIPERS: Anglers have seen the top striped bass action of the year off the Antioch/Oakley Pier over the past couple of weeks, according to Matt Landrum at Gotcha Bait and Tackle in Antioch.

Some anglers have reported catching limits of keeper stripers, but expect to release a lot of shakers while using anchovies, sardines, pileworms and ghost shrimp. One angler landed a 44-inch striper while fishing a sardine, but most of the larger fish are hitting live bait such as bluegill, mudsuckers and Sacramento pike-minnows.

For catfish, he recommended fishing with nightcrawlers, anchovies, shad and other cut baits. Expect fish in the 1- to 5-pound class. Information: (925) 706-7400.

PARDEE KOKANEE: Boaters are experiencing “fast and furious” kokanee salmon action at Pardee in the early morning hours, but the bite slows down after 9 a.m., advised Alan Fong of Fisherman’s Warehouse in Sacramento.